Well, The good news is that I had my baby on March 5, and she is thriving!I love her so much, and she inspires me every day to be a better human being.My son does too, but there is something about nurturing an infant that pulls at your core as a human being.So, life is wonderful, cliché as that may be.

However, the poor book still needs to be finished.In fact, I haven’t touched it in a long time.Still, I keep in touch with the editor, but he needs to see the darned manuscript. Since I have not been writing, in these months, where I have little time, I have relearned how to immerse myself in life.To really experience life in a way that is rich.When I eat, I uber-enjoy my food.When I go to a new place, I soak in the whole experience.When I talk to people, I try to be fully present.What is more, I am writing, though not creative writing. I make it a point to write thoughtful comments on my students' work, which is not to say that I wasn’t before.I am trying to give eloquent feedback, and I daresay, feedback I would appreciate both as a student and a writer. I also realize that I need to follow my own advice and edit and revise what I write, even short comments to others.I hoping these small habits will translate into larger habits. This month, I have a goal of adding ten daily minutes of writing on my book and when I can’t write, to really immerse myself in the short stories I have written.I need to live with my characters again, so I can give them more depth and humanity. I consider all of this internal research.I am also reading fiction again and paying attention to well crafted words. We will see what I can pull together, but I am more than optimistic. Nevertheless, I don’t want to set a date goal for finalizing the full draft, but a process goal. Besides, I am only really racing against myself.

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Dr. Jesú Estrada,Pen Name: María J. EstradaChicago, IL

Not Your Abuelita's Folktales giveaway is going on now. You can enter here. You must be a U.S. resident; I know that rule sucks.

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*********************MARIA J. ESTRADA is an English college professor of Composition, Literature, and her favorite, Creative Writing. She grew up in the desert outside of Yuma, Arizona in the real Barrio de Los Locos, a barrio comprised of new Mexican immigrants and first-generation Chicanos. Drawing from this setting and experiences, she writes like a loca every minute she can—all while magically balancing her work and family obligations. She lives in Chicago’s south side with her wonderfully supportive husband, two remarkable children, and two mischievous cats.

My next book coming out is La Bruja in the Orchard, in Spanish and a second edition of the English version.